Rookie Card Showcase: 2003 Bowman’s Best Ryan Howard

Can this card again see a boon in popularity?

I’m in the midst of preparing for the 2009 Cardboard World Series, and felt it appropriate to show off perhaps the most intriguing card you’ll see in the Series. This is Ryan Howard’s best rookie, bar none.

At one point this piece of shiny, signed cardboard was getting $600 CASH on eBay. Yes, cash. But in recent years the card has come back to Earth and rested in the range of $250 book value, or $125-$175 cash. I got mine for $160 (it’s a BGS 8.5 about 16 months ago.)

As the Phillies look to defend their 2008 World Series against either the California Angels of Anaheim of the United States or the New York Yankees, I wonder where collector’s think this Howard will go in the future.

I cannot foresee the card reaching the magical $600 plateau again, but can it increase significantly in value? Will it sustain that new price if the Phillies repeat as champions?

When Howard burst onto the seen in 2005, clubbing 22 homers in an abbreviated season en route to his Rookie of the Year award, I was shocked at how fast this card rose in popularity. The reason: Howard was already 26 when he entered the league.

Alas here we are four years later and Howard looks as good as ever. He’s got his championship ring, trophies for Rookie of the Year and MVP, as well as one for being 2009 National League Championship Series MVP. But will another piece of hardware, namely another World Series Ring, translate into additional hobby love? Somehow I am doubting this.

This is the part nine of an ongoing series. To see other parts in this series, click here.